Caring Safely™ is a comprehensive program that goes far beyond self-care. It will fundamentally change the way you think about being a helping professional.
It will empower you to make small changes that lead to significant results.And you’ll do this while being supported by the founder of the program and a group of amazing helpers from around the world.
Comprehensive Program Includes:
Lecture Style Training Videos
Handouts and Worksheets
Guided Audio Relaxation Downloads
Guided curriculum from start to finish
Video bookmarking and course tracking to keep you organized
Recommended reading materials and resources
Home study and assignments (for professional certification program)
Access to an amazing community of helping professionals from around the world
Regular access to founder of program
Live Q&A and live discussions
Sarah, Social Worker, United States
In my years as a social worker, I’ve worked with a lot of challenging populations and issues such as severe mental illness, domestic violence, chronic illness, and sexual abuse. I’ve had periods of severe compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma to the point where I had thought of leaving the field.
I have gone to many training on compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma during my years as a social worker, and have learned some valuable information, but not until I took the Caring Safely course have I felt that I have the tools to apply to my daily life and work as a clinician. I loved all the modules and worksheets, and in particular I really appreciate having the supportive Facebook group to share with others about how we are applying the things we are learning.
I highly recommend this course- I will be using the tools for years to come, as I truly feel I can stay in the field much longer using what I have learned!
Leading edge training
Learn strategies based on the most recent research in compassion, empathy, vicarious posttraumatic growth and behavioral change.
Personalize It
This is not a cookie cutter program. There are over 34 strategies that you are invited to personalize and integrate into your life.
Connect With Likeminded Peers
Caring Safely members are amazing helpers from around the world who support each other during the struggles and celebrate with each other during the wins!
Become a Compassion Fatigue Expert
Make this a speciality for you. Become certified as a compassion fatigue expert and begin offering workshops to other helpers.
This program is for you if…
- You used to love being a helping professional, but you’re not sure you can keep doing it
- You are functioning at work, but you collapse on the floor/couch when you get home
- You have zero desire/energy to do anything after work
- You’re more irritable or you’re beginning to withdraw from family/friends
- You dread going back to work each week and day dream about leaving the field
- You’re feeling guilty and wondering if you’re even helping people anymore
- You feel like a hypocrite helping people when you’re own symptoms of anxiety and/or depression are increasing
- You’re dreaming about clients and struggle to leave work at work
- You have a hard time saying “no” when people keep asking you to take on more and more work
- You’re self-medicating with food, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol
- You’re worried about the long-term impact on your relationships/health/career
- You’re becoming cynical about people and about being a helper
“The structure of it was wonderful. The clear explanation of the concepts of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction that then lead into a vast array of strategies. I found that I was able to easily connect the practice with the theory of it and personalise it to my own experiences. The Facebook group has also been excellent.”
Caring Safely members begin to…
- make small changes daily that lead to an increase of energy
- check in with themselves and take the time they need to finish their task before helping someone else
- say “no” to additional workload/projects personally and professionally
- hold other people accountable for their role in supporting clients/patients
- feel pride in their work and harness the energy that comes from empathizing
- go home on time
- make plans for the evenings and weekends with loved ones and actually enjoy them
- try activities they have always wanted to try
- communicate clear boundaries with clients/patients who tend to push them
- sleep better, eat better, move better
- recognize and release the thoughts that cause perfectionism and anxiety
- This is a biggy…. ask for help and be okay with receiving it!
Caring Safely is for…
- Social workers
- Counselors
- Therapists
- Peer support workers
- Case managers
- Mental health clinicians
- Outreach workers
- Nurses
- Health care aids
- Addiction counselors
- Teachers
- Home care workers
- Housing coordinators
- Community support workers
- Paramedics
- Doctors
- Veterinary doctors
- Occupational therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Chiropractors
- Massage therapists
We hear about “burnout” and “compassion fatigue” all the time. In one ear, out the other, beautiful worksheets get put into a pile as we go back to our normal, even if toxic, routine. Caring Safely goes beyond what is easy to gloss over. It’s real, direct, and highly beneficial.
How Online Learning Works
Lecture based videos
Weekly modules released with 3-4 videos and one audio per week. Each module has handouts and worksheets to help you personalize and integrate the material. Learn on your own schedule.
Live Q&As with Charlene
Connect with Charlene during the live Q&A office hours. Available at different time of the day for international time zones.
Connect with your peers
Access to a closed Facebook group to discuss the content and support each other as you integrate the strategies into your daily life
Program Content
Please note that there are two levels of Caring Safely described below:
1) Level One – Personal Program (Modules 1-6)
2) Level Two – Professional Program (Modules 7-12)
Module One
You’ll be introduced to the practice of Integrating and Implementing the concepts, which will run through the remainder of the program to ensure you can take the information and apply it you your own experiences.
Module Two
Module Three
Module Four
Module Five
In Module five you’ll get a variety of strategies to protect yourself from vicarious trauma, or secondary traumatic stress. I also teach a vicarious trauma action plan in case you find yourself exposed and feeling the symptoms.
This is a key module for those who tend to strongly feel what other people are feeling.
Module Six
In module six we focus on the role of compassion and self-compassion. I specifically put this module last because I know many people (helpers especially) may struggle with self-compassion. I then guide you through a process to get clear on what you want your future to look like and how to takes steps towards that.
Module Seven
We begin the professional program with a trauma informed approach to Organizational Health. You’ll learn both the organizational and individual risk and protective factors for compassion fatigue. Learn how to create healthy change as either a manager or clinical supervisor by promoting personal resiliency while educating and advocating for healthy change.
Module Eight
In this module we go deeper into the role of a manager who balances multiple needs (stakeholder, organizational, staff and personal). We review a framework to assess the readiness for change within the organization. Based on this framework, you will learn which strategies to use to advocate for and promote a healthy workplace that addresses compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout.
Module Nine
In this module we review the role of clinical supervision and review strategies to bring the concepts of Caring Safely into clinical supervision practices. You will learn additional strategies to help staff (individually and as a group) to process some of the exposure to trauma/grief they have experienced as well as how to build their personal resiliency and mental strength. Examples of clinical supervision forms/contracts are provided.
Module Ten
In this module you may begin to feel as though you are back in school. We are getting into the research and foundations for the concepts in Caring Safely. It’s important for you to have this solid foundation as you shift into your role as a Compassion Fatigue Expert. You can expect additional readings and assignments that ensure you have a solid grasp of the subject matter and learn how to integrate your own experience into your trainings (optional).
Module Eleven
In Module 11 you will learn how to create different types of presentations/workshops. This could include a 15 minute presentation at work, a 60 minute keynote, a half day workshop or a full day workshop. You will learn how to take your knowledge and transfer it into materials that are easy to understand and promote an engaged experience for your audience. See how Caring Safely evolved from my original workshop in 2008!
Module Twelve
Review the business components of specializing in compassion fatigue. You’ll learn how to market (tell people) about your expertise so they will hire you to teach them. I promise, it won’t require you to do a cheesy…. “But Wait – There’s More” infomercial promo. The approach will be individualistic and authentic in nature so you don’t feel “fake” about what you’re offering. You’ll learn how to set fees and create a workshop agreement. Downloadable examples provided.
Jess, Registered Massage Therapist, Canada
Deep thanks for a wonderful session. I feel a sense of renewal and am even more confident about staying in my field. I actually think that this specific course should be a requirement for those of us entering caring professions.
As I’m jumping from one caring profession to another, I feel like I am walking in with a toolkit I didn’t previously have, able to tweak some of my attitudes and behaviours so that I do not burn out again.
Thank you for breathing new life into how I approach my work (and therefore my life as a whole).
Charlene Richard B.S.W, M.S.W., RSW
Compassion Fatigue Specialist
In 2007 I was at the height of compassion fatigue and near burnout. I didn’t know what vicarious trauma was and had no strategies for protecting myself. I just knew that I felt raw and exhausted and wanted to hide from everyone.
Then in 2008 I learned about compassion fatigue and burnout and became fascinated with it. Where many in my field would have left, I went in the opposite direction. I dived into the world of compassion fatigue/compassion satisfaction. I took two separate trainings and spent years doing research, offering live workshops, online programs, presentations and individual coaching.
I’m excited to present you with the third edition of my program called Caring Safely with the latest research and even more strategies to help you stay safe and love your work.
Carole, Social Worker, Ireland
The Caring Safely course has been such a tremendous help in terms of how I can change my mindset, the responsibility pie and what is within my control and what is not within my control has given me the courage to persevere…
Hearing from others in the Facebook live session and the Facebook group has shown me that I’m not alone and has given me the courage and a new perspective.
Seeing the research, it put into words for me as to why I am staying in social work and why I chose this helping profession.